NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Gov. Tony Evers issues 'Safer at Home' order, will last until April 24

Posted at 10:41 AM, Mar 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-25 10:14:48-04

WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers has issued a "Safer at Home" order that will last until April 24.

The order prohibits "nonessential travel," though it does allow some exceptions.

“I know the COVID-19 outbreak has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our state. Issuing a Safer at Home order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do and it’s not something I take lightly, but here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously,” said Gov. Evers in a press release. “Each and every one of us has to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can flatten the curve to ensure our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers have the opportunity to do their important work.Let’s all do our part and work together.”

Essential businesses will be allowed to continue operations. According to Evers, this includes (but is not limited to):

  • Health care operations, including home health workers;
  • Critical infrastructure;
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable individuals;
  • Fresh and non-perishable food retailers, including convenience stores, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food banks;
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food and goods directly to residences;
  • Pharmacies, health care supply stores and health care facilities;
  • Child care facilities, with some limitations;
  • Gas stations and auto repair facilities;
  • Banks;
  • Laundry businesses, dry cleaners and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence, including garbage collection;
  • Hardware stores, plumbers, and electricians;
  • Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning;
  • Roles required for any business to maintain minimum basic operations, which includes security, and payroll; and
  • Law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action.

If a business is not sure if they are considered "essential," they are asked to contact the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. on March 25 and will remain into effect until 8 a.m. April 24.

To read Evers' full order, click here or scroll down:

Health Order #12 Safer at Home by TODAY'S TMJ4 on Scribd

Coronavirus in Wisconsin

More data on Wisconsin's vaccination progress here.

Find a vaccination site here.

Check out county-by-county coronavirus case numbers here.

More information: COVID-19 on the Wisconsin DHS website

Latest news and headlines here.